The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1887-05-08
HIGH SCHOOL NOT IN PERIL.
ALE THE NEWLY APPOINTED MEM
BERS DECLARE FOR IT.

A ,RumOr in Circulation that Interests
Every Pupil in the City schools, Au-
thoratively Set at Kest-What Mayor
Cleveland Says Abont the Matter.
Very many persons in the city who are
interested in the cause of public school ed
Tcation, have been concerned by rumors
that have prevailed of late that Mayor
Cleveland had exactei from the newly ap-
pointed members of the Board, as condi-
to for their appointment, promise to
vote for the abolition of the High School.
School Superintendent E lion said that
he had heard the rumor, but, though he
knew nothing about it, he had no idea
there was bit of truth in it. Principal
Poland of the High School, said that he,
tee, had heard the rumor. AS an interesting
parry he at once sifted it to the bottom,
and found it to be without foundation.
He had a long talk about the
matter with the Mayor Friday, and
the Mayor emphatically denied the whole
story. 'Whyr' Mr.. Poland went on. s1the
school is a necessity and there be no fear
that it will be abolished. If we employ
talent to teach in the schools we must
educate our teachers, and the only place to
do 1t is at the High School. The old
Board were always in favor of doing all
that they could for the school, and every
enc of the members of the new Board will
do the same to the best of their abil-
ity."
BY way of setting the bugaboo thorough
~ at rest, the reporter, acting under in
structions, interviewed all the newly APP
pointed members of the Board.
Mr.. G. FL. Benson, one of them, spoke
warmly in defence of the High School, and
held it to be a public benetaetlon. 1t a
comparative few were educated in it, their
education benefited the mass, by reflex
action
Phil Muldoon, a second of the new mem
bers, seemed surprised that such rumor
had gained any credence at all. He, does
not believe that such a scheme is on foot,
and if it should prove to be SO. he will OPP
pose it in every way. He is heartily in
favor of the High School, and he thinks it
is a good thing for the city. 'tThere have
been better men in the Board of Education
than myself" continued Mr.. Muldoon,
"and if they saw fit to continue the school,
why should [ try to oppose liz" When the
scribe called upon School Commissioner
Michael Moran at his residence on Twelfth
street, he found him very indignant over
the rumor. He has not pledged himself in
any manner. He said that he is an old
Jersey City schoolboy and would not make
a move that would ipjure any school in the
city. He will take no part in any scheme
that will tend to abolish the High School.
He believed the rumor had been gotten up
to iniure the new board.
School Commissioner Dugan said that
whoever started the story made it out OF
whole 10th. He said that it was a lie, and
he believed that the party or parties who
spread it around did so with the intention
of iDjuring the new members of the board
in the eyes of the people. When asked his
view upon the subject in question he said;
Ss The appointment of myself as a member
of the board was unsolicited on my part. l
did not even know that had received the
appointment until last Saturday morn
ing. I was met on the street Friday after
noon and told that the Mayor wished
to see me- I went into his Office and wait
ed few minutes, when he handed me
sealed envelope addressed to myself, with
the request that would not open it until
the next morning. Saturday morning
when opened the envelope l found an ap-
pointment as member of the Board of
Education in it. So you see that no pledges
were asked. and if any had been, they
wosid not have been complied with. AS
far as the High School is concerned, it will
receive all the aid which it can receive
from me. The school is an absolute ne
easily, and is splendidiy conducted. My
sister graduated from it. and of course
think considerable of it..